Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao attended a banquet at Minghua Tower where a martial artist killed Xu Duo and threatened Young Marquis Fang, then a group of powerful assassins attacked the gathering. Meng Zhao suspected the assault targeted Young Marquis Fang and held Lü Yue back while they watched the fighters resist.

• A concealed weapon wielder killed Xu Duo at the banquet, and Meng Zhao questioned whether the hall was safe.
• Young Marquis Fang confronted the killer, who drank wine, declared he would kill him, and hurled a wine jar at him.
• Zheng Xie shattered the jar with Soft Cloud Sword Qi as several assassins stormed into the hall and killed two young masters.
• Yu Tianye, Huang Baoying, Zheng Xie, and other skilled fighters fought back while the panicked guests obstructed them.
• Lü Yue rushed to protect Meng Zhao and suggested they escape, but Meng Zhao stopped him and proposed watching the battle because the attack likely targeted Young Marquis Fang.

Meng Zhao watched the battle at Mingxiang Tower as the young masters fought off the assassins, until a mysterious sword strike from outside shattered Zheng Xie's treasured blade and wounded him. Meng Zhao realized the strike had been made with an ordinary dry branch by an overwhelmingly powerful attacker whose identity remained unknown.

• Young Marquis Fang and a young assassin clashed fiercely while Lü Yue protected Meng Zhao and killed attackers with his Formless Primordial Unity Skill.
• Zheng Xie used his Soft Cloud Sun-Sweeping Sword Scripture to kill an assassin and impress Tang Ling'er.
• A silent sword light flew through the window, broke Zheng Xie's treasured sword, and cut his cheek.
• Zheng Xie lost control and slashed wildly until the Zhao Family's eldest young master and Huang Baoying restrained him.
• Meng Zhao recognized that the sword light had been carried by a dry branch and concluded that its unseen wielder could overpower everyone present.

A powerful intruder attacked the Minghua Banquet and revealed himself as a palace eunuch intent on killing Young Marquis Fang. Young Marquis Fang identified him as Zhu Guangxi, whose escape from the palace and possible revenge for a past frame-up explained his presence.

• A withered branch carrying sword force shattered the young nobles’ resolve, and a formidable middle-aged man entered through the window.
• Young Master Ruan threatened the intruder, who killed him with an invisible qi sword.
• The intruder declared that he had come to kill Young Marquis Fang and planned to bury the gathered nobles with him.
• Meng Zhao and several others recognized clues that the intruder was a eunuch, while Young Marquis Fang named him Zhu Guangxi.
• Meng Zhao recalled that Zhu Guangxi had fled the palace after being framed for poisoning Noble Lady Chun and that he may have killed the eunuch who accused him.

Meng Zhao and the other guests faced Zhu Guangxi, who confirmed his identity after Young Marquis Fang recognized his sword art. Zhu Guangxi ordered his remaining assassins to attack and turned his own strike on Young Marquis Fang, while the others held back and watched for a chance to survive.

• Meng Zhao considered whether revealing his identity and joining Zhu Guangxi's organization might save his life.
• Young Marquis Fang identified the attacker as Zhu Guangxi from his use of the Myriad Manifestations Myriad Transformations Sword Scripture.
• Zhu Guangxi confirmed he was Zhu Guangxi and rejected being called a eunuch, saying he had left the imperial palace and no longer served the Beitang Family.
• The guests regained hope after learning Zhu Guangxi's sword techniques came from a martial art, and they expected reinforcements might arrive.
• Zhu Guangxi ordered his five remaining assassins to attack the great clans and sent sword shadows at Young Marquis Fang.
• Meng Xi, Huang Baoying, Yu Tianye, and Meng Zhao stayed out of the fight as Young Marquis Fang faced Zhu Guangxi's attack.

Young Marquis Fang used a Buddhist secret treasure to repel Zhu Guangxi’s deadly sword attack, and the two unleashed a clash that destroyed Minghua Tower. Meng Zhao seized a young bystander as a human shield, and the disturbance drew soldiers and martial artists toward the ruins.

• Zhu Guangxi attacked Young Marquis Fang with his Bewildering Spirit Sword, but a Buddhist secret treasure protected Fang and struck Zhu with a backlash.
• A golden Buddhist palm emerged from Young Marquis Fang’s protective light and reached for Zhu Guangxi.
• Zhu Guangxi transformed into a pitch-black divine sword and stabbed toward the Buddhist palm with a violent storm of sword qi.
• Meng Zhao sensed danger, immobilized a minor family’s young descendant, and used him as a human shield.
• The clash blasted Minghua Tower apart, and nearby residents, patrolling soldiers, and martial artists rushed toward the scene.

After the clash between two Innate Masters devastated Minghua Tower, Meng Zhao assessed the survivors and found his elder brother Meng Xi gravely injured, possibly with a crippled dantian. Meng Zhao realized the damage to Meng Xi would draw the Meng Family into a serious confrontation.

• Meng Zhao rose from the ruins, expelled blood, and reflected that his strength was still too weak to withstand the aftermath of an Innate Masters' fight.
• Meng Zhao and Lü Yue survived with injuries, while Yu Tianye and several young masters were badly hurt and Tang Ling'er remained unharmed.
• Meng Zhao helped Lü Yue suppress his internal injuries and searched the wreckage for Young Marquis Fang and Zhu Guangxi, but neither appeared.
• Meng Zhao and Lü Yue dug Meng Xi out of the ruins and discovered that his eye and arms were badly injured and his internal force was leaking away as if his dantian had been crippled.
• Meng Xi clung to Meng Zhao in terror, and Meng Zhao recognized that the damage to the Meng Family heir would not be something the family could overlook.

Meng Zhao worsened his own injuries to win Meng Jizu’s sympathy and ease suspicion after Meng Xi was gravely wounded. As forces converged on the ruins, Zhu Guangxi fled after his clash with Young Marquis Fang.

• Meng Zhao deliberately aggravated his internal injuries and pretended they had overwhelmed him, prompting Lü Yue and Meng Xi to believe he had been hurt while helping Meng Xi.
• Meng Xi thanked Meng Zhao for standing by him and vowed to kill Zhu Guangxi, easing the brothers’ longstanding discord.
• Young Marquis Fang and Zhu Guangxi emerged from the eastern ruins, with Fang unharmed beneath a fading golden glow and Zhu badly weakened with a charred palm.
• Zhu Guangxi accused Young Marquis Fang of relying on Great Compassion Temple’s Unempty Buddha Palm, then fled as other forces arrived.

Nan'an reeled from the massacre at Minghua Tower as Governor Cui Tan ordered a citywide hunt for Zhu Guangxi. After returning to the Meng Mansion, Meng Zhao appeased Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao over Meng Xi’s injuries, leaving the family crisis unresolved but avoiding Meng Jizu’s displeasure.

• News of the Minghua Tower massacre spread through Nan'an, and commandery troops and local factions sealed the city while searching for Zhu Guangxi.
• The investigation revealed that Zhu Guangxi had drugged guests and staff below the banquet floor, bringing the death toll above five hundred and causing widespread destruction.
• Governor Cui Tan ordered every city faction to assist the Heavenly Punishment Hall in capturing Zhu Guangxi within seven days, while riders carried news to the provincial government.
• At dawn, Meng Zhao returned to Meng Mansion with Lü Yue and learned from Meng Zhao’s warning that the coming challenge would be difficult.
• Meng Zhao knelt before Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao, apologized for failing to protect Meng Xi, and received healing true qi from Meng Jizu.
• Meng Jizu said Meng Zhao was not to blame for the incident, which stemmed from the conflict behind Zhu Guangxi and the Marquis of Qingning’s Estate.

After surviving the Minghua Tower incident, Meng Zhao won the elders’ approval with a careful apology and an explanation for treating Meng Xi. He left to recover, while the elders turned their attention to Zhu Guangxi.

• Meng Zhao admitted his recklessness and asked about the signs of Meng Xi’s leaking inner force; Meng Jizu explained that the Kong Family’s Core Forging method and Golden Blood Flesh Peach could repair Xi’s dantian.
• Meng Zhao said he had treated Meng Xi out of instinct and family ties, and the Four Great Stewards were impressed by his conduct.
• Meng Jizu warned Meng Zhao that his attempt to condense a ninth Crimson Banner was dangerous and advised him to take a Calming Heart Pill before breaking through.
• Meng Hongdao told Meng Zhao to rest, seek medicine from Divine Doctor Tong, and avoid Young Marquis Fang; Meng Zhao then left with Lü Yue supporting him.
• After Meng Zhao departed, the elders praised him and began discussing Zhu Guangxi.

Meng Zhao visited Meng Xi in the Glazed Pavilion, where Divine Doctor Tong diagnosed his injuries and warned him to rest. Meng Xi learned that the Kong Family might treat his dantian, while Meng Zhao left pondering which brother Meng Jizu intended to name heir.

• Meng Zhao arrived at the Glazed Pavilion and observed Meng Wen's hidden delight, Meng Chuan's regret, Meng Rong's fright, and Kong Yun's restrained concern for Meng Xi.
• Divine Doctor Tong examined Meng Zhao, diagnosed serious injuries to his qi, blood, and organs, and prescribed medicine and a month of rest after treatment.
• Meng Zhao told Meng Xi that the Kong Family could use its Core Forging method and a Golden Blood Flesh Peach to treat his dantian, lifting Meng Xi's spirits.
• Meng Zhao considered how Meng Xi's lost eye could threaten his chances of inheriting and wondered whether Meng Xi or Meng Wen was Meng Jizu's favored heir.
• After Lü Yue returned with the medicine, Meng Zhao left for the Western Residence without speaking to Meng Wen.

After returning to the Western Residence injured, Meng Zhao ordered his household to lie low amid the turmoil following Zhu Guangxi’s attack. He warned Han Pu that Zhu Guangxi’s escape likely involved powerful forces and left the investigation to others, focusing instead on recovering and preparing for his future journey to Cloud Mist Mountain.

• Han Lu tearfully welcomed Meng Zhao home, and Lü Zhong examined his injuries and advised him to avoid martial practice for several days.
• Meng Zhao told his household to scale back their businesses and keep their martial artists from clashing with families whose heirs had been killed.
• Meng Zhao ordered Han Pu to investigate Zhu Guangxi cautiously and explained that Fang’s silence, Zhu Guangxi’s accomplices, and his long escape suggested a deeper conspiracy.
• Lü Zhong asked whether Zhu Guangxi might evade capture, and Meng Zhao said the outcome depended on the power supporting him and that he wanted no part in the affair.
• Meng Zhao resolved to recover, cultivate, and pursue the Flood Dragon Egg at Cloud Mist Mountain rather than get involved in the struggles of powerful factions.

Meng Zhao secretly healed the severe injuries he had inflicted on himself, then continued pretending to be weak while preparing to transform the inner force he had received through empowerment. He left the story fully recovered and nearing a breakthrough, but resolved to temper his foundation before attempting to cleanse and convert his cultivation.

• Meng Zhao used the Wood Element Earth Spirit Pearl, Water Element Treasure Pearl, and the Crimson Dragon Heavenly Capital Secret Canon to heal his injuries.
• Within two days, Meng Zhao recovered completely and found that the healing process had strengthened his body and inner force.
• Meng Zhao concealed his recovery by wearing a white fox-fur cloak and appearing pale and frail outside the Western Residence.
• Meng Zhao reflected that the inner force passed to him through empowerment could become a dangerous restraint as his martial arts advanced.
• Meng Zhao continued tempering his inner force instead of breaking through, intending to cleanse it and transform it into Crimson Dragon Force when he exchanged his blood to awaken his dragon body.

Meng Zhao surveyed the Second Branch’s latest shipment of wealth as the city continued its search for Zhu Guangxi after the Minghua Tower massacre. The chapter ended with Meng Zhao learning that Young Marquis Fang was leaving.

• Meng Zhao watched servants store the Second Branch’s third shipment of valuables from its industries across Ji Prefecture.
• The manhunt for Zhu Guangxi intensified, officials were punished for failing to capture him, and Wang Xuan’s rise to chief constable advanced.
• Meng Zhao considered why Meng Jizu and the Meng Family were holding back from the hunt and accepted that they had good reason to avoid provoking powerful forces in the capital.
• Meng Xi was sent to the Kong Family for treatment, while Meng Zhao expected his own injuries to heal soon.
• Han Pu gave Meng Zhao a slip of paper announcing that Young Marquis Fang was leaving.

Meng Zhao visited Young Marquis Fang and learned about external-training martial arts from the Innate Master Zhou Sheng. The chapter ended with Meng Zhao asking about Young Marquis Fang’s recent life and growing more determined to awaken his Purple Origin Dragon Body.

• Meng Jizu learned that Meng Zhao had left to visit Young Marquis Fang but decided not to stop him.
• Meng Zhao, Lü Zhong, and Lü Yue traveled through wary streets to Young Marquis Fang’s secluded residence.
• Zhou Sheng, an Innate Master serving the Marquis’s Estate, received Meng Zhao while Young Marquis Fang was delayed.
• Meng Zhao questioned Zhou Sheng about external training and learned how it cultivated Physical Divine Abilities and Physical Talents.
• Zhou Sheng’s explanation made Meng Zhao appreciate the value of his Purple Origin Dragon Body, and Meng Zhao asked about Young Marquis Fang’s recent life.

Meng Zhao visited Young Marquis Fang before his departure from Nan'an and gave him a gift. Young Marquis Fang hinted that a powerful figure was behind the attempts on his life, then warned Meng Zhao that the Sun Family’s patron in the capital might soon fall.

• Young Marquis Fang recounted how his attempts to apologize to the families affected by the Minghua Tower tragedy had been rejected.
• Meng Zhao reassured Young Marquis Fang that he did not blame him for the injuries Zhu Guangxi had caused and gave him a gift.
• Young Marquis Fang said he had not pursued Zhu Guangxi and believed someone more powerful had orchestrated the attack against him.
• Young Marquis Fang warned Meng Zhao that learning who wanted him dead could put Meng Zhao in danger.
• Young Marquis Fang told Meng Zhao that the Sun Family’s powerful patron might be finished, but Meng Zhao already knew the Meng Family had helped bring that about.

After meeting the Young Marquis, Meng Zhao noticed a childlike charcoal mark outside a tavern and reacted with suppressed fury, though he refused to explain why. He continued toward Meng Mansion, stopping repeatedly until he halted again near the residence.

• Meng Zhao and the Young Marquis discussed Ji Prefecture and parted on cordial terms, with Meng Zhao wishing him success in the army.
• Zhou Sheng told the Young Marquis that Meng Zhao’s Blood Qi was powerful and his injuries seemed healed, and the Young Marquis concluded Meng Zhao was pretending to be ill to protect himself within the Meng Family.
• On the way home, Meng Zhao stopped at a tavern after seeing a strange flower doodled in charcoal on its signboard, then clenched his fists until they bled.
• Lü Yue worried that Meng Zhao’s injuries had flared up, but Lü Zhong recognized that the mark had provoked him and treated his wounds without asking questions.
• Meng Zhao offered a false explanation, took the lantern, and walked ahead; Lü Zhong stopped Lü Yue from questioning him, and Meng Zhao kept stopping along the way before halting near Meng Mansion.

Meng Zhao secretly followed coded signals to Little Sheep Alley, a deserted site where more than a hundred residents had been mysteriously murdered six years earlier. He found three people hiding in the innermost house, and recognized one of them with shock.

• Meng Zhao sent Lü Zhong and Lü Yue back to the manor and warned them not to follow him.
• Lü Zhong told Lü Yue to cover for Meng Zhao’s whereabouts and return to Meng Mansion.
• Meng Zhao checked that no one was following him, then followed coded marks to Little Sheep Alley.
• Meng Zhao recalled that all 103 residents of Little Sheep Alley had been killed in their sleep six years earlier, each with needle marks behind the head.
• Meng Zhao entered the innermost house and found three people eating steamed buns in the dark.
• Meng Zhao recognized one of the three and exclaimed in surprise.

Meng Zhao found Zhu Guangxi and two other wanted experts waiting for him in Little Sheep Alley after following secret marks. He confirmed they did not know his true identity and demanded to know how they had learned the symbol, while Zhu Guangxi restrained his anger because the group needed Meng Zhao’s help.

• Meng Zhao recognized the injured Zhu Guangxi among the three people hiding in the courtyard and wondered how they were connected to the mysterious person.
• Zhu Guangxi said Shopkeeper Qian had left secret marks to guide Meng Zhao there and complained that he had arrived late.
• Shopkeeper Qian apologized for Zhu Guangxi injuring Meng Zhao at Minghua Tower and said they had a relationship with him.
• Meng Zhao claimed he had no connection to the fugitives and tested whether they knew he was impersonating the Meng Family’s Fourth Young Master.
• After concluding they did not know his true identity, Meng Zhao asked where they had learned the secret symbol and what else they knew.

Shopkeeper Qian told Meng Zhao how Zhu Guangxi’s massacre had made the three men fugitives and revealed the identity of the Plainclothes Alliance and its mysterious Lord Zhao Hun. Zhu Guangxi then asked Meng Zhao to help them escape Nan'an Commandery City, leaving Meng Zhao to consider aiding men whose crisis had once nearly killed him.

• Shopkeeper Qian explained how Zhu Guangxi’s massacre at Minghua Tower led to a citywide hunt and forced him, Shopkeeper Chai, and Zhu Guangxi into hiding.
• Shopkeeper Qian said Lord Zhao Hun had directed him to seek Meng Zhao’s help, and Meng Zhao learned that Zhao Hun was the masked man who had trained him.
• Shopkeeper Qian hesitated to reveal the organization’s nature, but Zhu Guangxi identified it as the Plainclothes Alliance, spread among commoners across Great Yong and other small nations.
• Meng Zhao questioned why Zhao Hun had kept him outside the Alliance and suspected the organization opposed the oppression of the powerful and noble.
• Zhu Guangxi asked Meng Zhao to get the three fugitives out of Nan'an Commandery City or at least prevent their capture.

Meng Zhao agreed to help Zhu Guangxi, Shopkeeper Qian, and Shopkeeper Chai escape Nan'an only if they gave him a valuable reward. Zhu Guangxi offered him a Three-Colored Hun Tian Golden Pill, and Meng Zhao accepted it.

• Meng Zhao explained that openly protecting the three men was impossible, but he might secretly help them if they offered enough compensation.
• Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai admitted their hidden silver and treasures would probably not interest Meng Zhao, while Zhu Guangxi offered to provide something valuable.
• Meng Zhao asked Zhu Guangxi for a metal- or earth-element treasure comparable to the three essence-containing treasures he revealed.
• Zhu Guangxi gave Meng Zhao a Golden Pill forged from Three-Colored Hun Tian Divine Gold, which had absorbed the qi of a hundred metals and traces of sword intent.
• Zhu Guangxi wondered whether Meng Zhao possessed extraordinary fortune after seeing his collection of treasures.